Mike Modano scores 499th career goal in OT to lead Stars over Kings 4-3

Modano scored his 499th career goal 35 seconds into overtime as the Stars took over sole possession of second place in the Pacific Division with a 4-3 victory over the Los Angeles Kings on Sunday.

Modano's 14th goal of the season and third in five games on a quick shot from the high slot, beating Sean Burke to move three goals behind Joe Mullen for the career lead among U.S.-born players.

"It was a good play. It took me a second or two to get it to my forehand," Modano said. "I held my stride a little bit to create some space."

Burke gave all the credit to Modano.

"He just beat me," Burke said. "I saw him come across the middle and I tracked him as far as I could. He just beat me with the shot."

The Stars' career leader in most offensive categories, Modano sat out 23 consecutive games in December and January with a hip injury. He struggled to regain his form when he returned, scoring one goal in his first 13 games until the recent productive stretch.

"I felt good out there," Modano said. "I'm happy to be feeling better on the ice. I feel I can get into spots better."

Modano has admitted that the U.S. record has been on his mind, and Stars coach Dave Tippett wants Modano to place his focus on helping his team finish strong rather than individual accomplishments.

"Modano has to concentrate on doing the things within our team game that he's good at and his points will come," Tippett said.

The Stars didn't play particularly well, but they've won all seven meetings with the Kings this season - with one game remaining - and are 19-7 against Pacific Division teams.

"We'll take the points," Tippett said. "There was a lot of stuff happening, some good and some bad. We were fortunate to get the last goal."

Ladislav Nagy had a first-period goal and Dallas went on to improve to 85 points, two better than third-place San Jose in the division.

Dustin Brown scored two goals, Brian Willsie added a goal, and Burke made 30 saves for the Kings, 0-2-3 in their last five games.

Los Angeles coach Marc Crawford was satisfied with his team's performance, despite the fact they're out of the playoff chase.

"We didn't get what we deserved," Crawford said. "(The Stars) got some breaks. We forced them to play a game they didn't want to play."

The Kings capitalized with three seconds left on a five-on-three when Brown converted Patrick O'Sullivan's centring pass in the first period. Dallas' Jere Lehtinen lost his stick on the penalty kill and was unable to clear the puck, leaving the Stars further shorthanded.

Dallas tied it at one at 15:20 of the first period on Nagy's 11th, then Daley put the Stars in front 2-1 with 1.4 seconds left in the first period, scoring his fourth from the high slot.

Willsie pulled Los Angeles even at two at 1:24 of the third period, registering his ninth when he backhanded a shot through Turco's pads.

Hagman put the Stars back in front 3-2 on Hagman's redirect, his 15th goal of the season.

But Brown tied it at three at 5:17 of the third period with his 13th goal.

Notes: Dallas D Mattias Norstrom missed the game due to a recurring knee injury. Norstrom was acquired on Feb. 27 in a trade with the Kings. ...Also out for the Stars was C Eric Lindros (groin). ...The Stars warmed up using pink sticks, which will be auctioned for breast cancer research. ...The Kings were without C Derek Armstrong (knee) and Anze Kopitar (lower back). ... Zubov's third-period assist was his 500th point with the Stars. ... The Kings scored their first goal in the first period against the Stars this season. Dallas has 12 first-period goals against Los Angeles in their seven meetings.